Rockets outgun Timberwolves 142-130

Posted: February 25, 2017 -- 11:34 pm CST.

HOUSTON, TX (Toyota Center) -- The Houston Rockets toyed with the Minnesota Timberwolves Saturday night in a 142-130 victory. For the fifth time this season, the Rockets never trailed in the game. James Harden's 24 points led the team. Seven other Rockets scored in double digits.

The Timberwolves committed 25 turnovers and the Rockets took advantage and converted those miscues into 38 points.

The Rockets hit 22 three-point shots out of 58 attempts. The 58 attempts rank second in NBA history behind the 61 three-point attempts the Rockets launched versus the New Orleans Pelicans December 16th, 2016.

The Rockets' 142 points is a season-high; however, Minnesota dominated the boards and outrebounded the Rockets 58-31 and outscored the Rockets 68-44 in the paint.

Rockets' head coach Mike D'Antoni said, "We talked about it. I didn't think we played very good. We got 142 points up; so, you know, we'll score. But, we can't -- they (Minnesota) killed us on the boards.

"Just a lack of little extra pep -- especially in that first group. You know that second group got us 17 point leads twice -- at the end of quarters. They came back at the half and then at the end of the third. They came back from 17, cut it to eight both times. So, you know we've got to do a better job."

The Rockets (42-18) led the T-wolves 35-28 after the first quarter and 66-58 at halftime. However, James Harden scored only 3 points in the first half (1 for 9 field goals). Harden's offense heated up in the third quarter with 15 points which helped the Rockets drop 40 on the T-wolves in the third period.

The Rockets led 106-86 at the end of three. The Rockets have scored 100 points through three quarters ten times this season.

Minnesota's two young stars, Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins combined for 67 points. KAT scored 37 points and pulled down a career-high 22 rebounds.

The Timberwolves (23-36) outscored the Rockets 42-36 in the fourth quarter. The T-wolves pulled within 8 points four times in the fourth; but, each time, the Rockets answered with a three-point basket to increase the lead.

The Rockets next game is Monday, February 27, versus the Indiana Pacers. Tip time is 8:30 p.m.

CLICK HERE for The HRR's Rockets' write-ups.